Neck tie with pre-manufactured knot

ABSTRACT

A pre-manufactured knot for a neck tie has a cylindrical, hollow ring configured to simulate the appearance of a conventional knot on a neck tie. A loop of the neck tie is passed through the ring and placed around the neck of a wearer. The loop is then tightened so as to approximate the size of the wearer&#39;s neck and the ring rests in the join of the shirt collar. The ring bears a pattern to match the pattern on the neck tie. An insert-tee is included to lock the ring in place with respect to the neck tie.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a simpler manner of applying a neck tie. More specifically, this invention relates to a pre-manufactured “knot” for a neck tie to simplify the act of applying a neck tie.

There are some people who find difficultly in applying a neck tie for varying reasons. Such types of people may include young children, older adults or those with hand or finger injuries resulting in reduced dexterity, to name a few.

In the past, such people have resorted to various methods to avoid having to tie a knot in a neck tie, such as clip-on ties, ascots, bolos, etc. Clip-on ties involve an increased manufacturing cost and are difficult to clean. Ascots and bolos are sufficiently different from neck ties that such may not be appropriate for certain settings.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved method of tying a knot in a neck tie that avoids the drawbacks of pre-existing alternatives. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a pre-manufactured knot for a neck tie. The pre-manufactured knot is a generally frusto-conical, hollow ring made from a rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastic and covered by a layer of fabric. The ring preferably has an oval-shaped horizontal cross-section and has upper and lower openings. The lower opening is preferably smaller than the upper opening such that the ring has a generally vee-shaped vertical cross-section.

In this configuration, the frusto-conical, hollow ring is configured to engage an elongated piece of fabric generally in the shape of a conventional neck tie. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated piece of fabric is folded in half such that the mid-point of the length of fabric is inserted into the lower opening of the ring. The mid-point is drawn through the upper opening to form a loop of the fabric that goes around the neck of the wearer.

An insert-tee is provided for engaging the loop of the neck tie inside of the ring. The insert-tee properly positions the neck tie within the ring and locks it in place so that the neck tie does not move or loosen while being worn. The ring may be made from a continuous loop of material or from a flat piece of material that is curled into a loop and the ends joined by a rivet, screw or other connector.

The ring bears a color or pattern that preferably matches the color or pattern on the neck tie fabric. In this way, a single ring may be used with one or more different neck ties and while providing a visually pleasing combination of colors or patterns.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating the frusto-conical, hollow ring and elongated piece of fabric of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the frusto-conical, hollow ring taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view illustrating how the elongated piece of fabric is to engage the hollow, conical ring;

FIG. 4 is a front view illustrating the engagement of the elongated piece of fabric with the frusto-conical, hollow ring;

FIG. 5 is a front view illustrating how a loop of the elongated piece of fabric is sized for a wearer's neck;

FIG. 6 is a front view illustrating a loop of the elongated piece of fabric as it would appear around a wearer's neck;

FIG. 7 is an environmental view illustrating how the present invention appears in relation to a shirt collar;

FIG. 8 is a front exploded view illustrating the elongated piece of fabric with the frusto-conical, hollow ring and an insert-tee;

FIG. 9 is a front assembly view illustrating how the insert-tee engages the elongated piece of fabric;

FIG. 10 is a close-up front view illustrating how the insert-tee engages the elongated piece of fabric;

FIG. 11 is a close-up rear view illustrating how the insert-tee engages the elongated piece of fabric;

FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating how the insert-tee engages the elongated piece of fabric and the frusto-conical, hollow ring;

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating how the insert-tee disengages the elongated piece of fabric and the frusto-conical, hollow ring;

FIG. 14 is a front view illustrating an alternate embodiment of the frusto-conical, hollow ring of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a front view illustrating assembly of an alternate embodiment of the frusto-conical, hollow ring of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating an assembled alternate embodiment of the frusto-conical, hollow ring of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a back view illustrating an assembled alternate embodiment of the frusto-conical, hollow ring of the present invention; and

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 18-18 of FIG. 17 illustrating an alternate embodiment of the frusto-conical, hollow ring of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a neck tie and knot to simplify the act of wearing a neck tie. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a pre-manufactured knot for use with neck ties and other similar lengths of fabric. The pre-manufactured knot removes the need for users to know how or be able to tie a knot in a neck tie.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 the pre-manufactured knot 10 is a generally frusto-conical, hollow ring 12. This ring 12 is preferably made from a rigid or semi-rigid material such as plastic or metal. The ring 12 preferably has an oval-shaped horizontal cross-section and has upper and lower openings 14, 16. The lower opening 16 is preferably smaller than the upper opening 14 such that the ring 12 has a generally vee-shaped vertical cross-section.

Through this configuration, the frusto-conical, hollow ring 12 is configured to engage an elongated piece of fabric 18. This piece of fabric 18 may come in varying shapes but is preferably in the shape of a conventional neck tie having a wide end 18 a and a narrow end 18 b. The engagement between the ring 12 and the fabric 18 is similar to the way in which the clasp or slide of a bolo tie engages the cord. In a preferred embodiment, the elongated piece of fabric 18 is folded in half such that the approximate mid-point 20 is inserted into the lower opening 16 of the frusto-conical, hollow ring 12. As the mid-point 20 is drawn through the upper opening 14, a loop 22 of the fabric 18 is formed.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5-7, this loop 22 is configured to go around the neck (not shown) of a person wearing the neck tie. The loop 22 is at first oversized to as to fit over the head of the wearer. Once the loop 22 is around the neck of the wearer, the loop 22 is made smaller by pulling the ends 18 a, 18 b of the fabric 18 downward through the ring 12. A wearer would adjust the relative position of the ring 12 and the fabric 18 such that the loop 22 approximates the size of the wearer's neck and the ends 18 a, 18 b of the fabric are positioned as with a conventional tie. The loop 22 should be positioned under a shirt collar 24 or similar article of clothing. The ring 12 should be positioned in the vee where the shirt collar 24 comes together over the collar button (not shown).

In a preferred embodiment, the knot 10 includes an insert-tee 26 that generally comprises a rigid or semi-rigid tee-shaped device. The insert-tee 26 comprises a horizontal, elongated loop 28 and a vertical, straight rod 30. The elongated loop 28 is sized and configured to accept the mid-point 20 and a length of the fabric 18 corresponding to the loop 22. The straight rod 30 is preferably positioned behind the fabric 18 such that it is not visible from the front. To use the insert-tee 26, the loop 22 should the passed through the elongated loop 28 such that the insert-tee 26 passes through the upper opening 14 and rests inside of the ring 12. When done properly, the straight rod 30 will protrude out of the lower opening 16 behind the fabric 18.

When properly positioned, the insert-tee 26 will cause the fabric 18 to be oriented in the knot 10 in such a way so as to more closely simulate the appearance of a conventional neck tie knot. The elongated loop 28 keeps the material of the fabric 18 more flat as it passes through lower opening 16. The straight rod 30 keeps the center of the fabric 18 protruding forward as it passes through the lower opening 16. Both features result in a more closely simulated conventional neck tie knot. In addition, the insert-tee 26 acts as a lock to prevent the fabric 18 from sliding or otherwise moving with respect to the knot 10 while being worn. This locking feature is secured by gently pulling downward on the straight rod 30 as illustrated in FIG. 12. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the locking feature of the insert-tee 26 is released by pushing up on the straight rod 30.

In the described embodiment, the loop 12 of the knot 10 may be formed as a continuous piece of material. In an alternate embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14-18, the loop 12′ may be formed from a flat plate 32 that is curled and joined by one or more rivets, screws or other similar joining devices 34 to form the loop 12′. The flat plate 32 is generally shaped as a kidney bean with one lobe 36, preferably the smaller lobe, slightly stretched or elongated. The lobes 36, 38 of the flat plate 32 are curled together such that they overlap. The joining devices 34 are passed through the overlapped lobes 36, 38, preferably through openings 36 a, 38 a. When the lobes 36, 38 are joined together, the flat plate 32 is effectively formed into the loop 12′. The overlapping lobes 36, 38 are preferably positioned at the back of the loop 12′ so that the joint is effectively hidden.

In either embodiment, the loop 12, 12′ preferably bears a color or pattern that matches the color or pattern appearing on the fabric 18. The match between the color or pattern on the loop 12, 12′ and the fabric may be exact or of a sufficiently similar style so as to create a visually pleasing combination. The color or pattern on the loop 12, 12′ may be dyed, impregnated or painted on the material, i.e., plastic or metal, comprising the loop 12, 12′. Alternatively, the loop 12, 12′ may be covered with a fabric material that bears the desired color or pattern. Depending upon the color or pattern chosen and the desired degree of matching, a single loop 12, 12′ may be used with multiple lengths of fabric 18. Such a feature would reduce the number of loops 12, 12′ that would be necessary to accommodate a given number of neck ties in a person's wardrobe.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 

1. A neck tie comprising: an elongated piece of fabric generally in the shape of a conventional neck tie, the fabric being folded on itself to form a loop positionable about a wearer's neck; a ring through which the folded fabric passes to define the loop positionable about the wearer's neck; and an insert-tee slidable over the folded fabric and positionable within the ring so as to lock the ring in position relative to the folded fabric.
 2. The neck tie of claim 1, wherein the ring comprises a hollow frusto-conical ring.
 3. The neck tie of claim 2, wherein the ring, when positioned on the folded fabric, has the appearance of a typical neck tie knot.
 4. The neck tie of claim 1, wherein the ring comprises a rigid or semi-rigid base material covered by a fabric material.
 5. The neck tie of claim 4, wherein the fabric material of the base has substantially the same appearance as the elongated piece of fabric.
 6. The neck tie of claim 4, wherein the ring base is comprised of a continuous loop of material.
 7. The neck tie of claim 4, wherein the ring base comprises a flat, flexible material curled into a loop.
 8. The neck tie of claim 7, wherein opposing end lobes of the base are joined together.
 9. The neck tie of claim 8, including a connector for joining the opposing end lobes of the base.
 10. The neck tie of claim 1, wherein the insert-tee comprises a fabric-receiving loop and a generally perpendicular straight rod extending therefrom.
 11. The neck time of claim 10, wherein the rod is positioned behind at least a portion of the folded fabric so as not to be visible from the front of the neck tie wearer.
 12. The neck tie of claim 10, wherein the fabric-receiving loop is positioned within the ring to lock the ring in position relative to the folded fabric.
 13. A neck tie, comprising: an elongated piece of fabric generally in the shape of a conventional neck tie, the fabric being folded on itself to form a loop positionable about a wearer's neck; a hollow, generally frusto-conical ring comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid base material covered by a fabric material, through which the folded fabric passes to define the loop positionable about the wearer's neck; and an insert-tee slidable over the foldable fabric and positionable within the ring so as to lock the ring in position relative to the folded fabric.
 14. The neck tie of claim 13, wherein the ring, when positioned on the folded fabric, has the appearance of a typical neck tie knot.
 15. The neck tie of claim 13, wherein the fabric material of the base has substantially the same appearance as the elongated piece of fabric.
 16. The neck tie of claim 13, wherein the ring base is comprised of a continuous loop of material.
 17. The neck tie of claim 13, wherein the ring base comprises a flat, flexible material curled into a loop, and wherein opposing end lobes of the base are joined together, including a connector for joining the opposing end lobes of the base.
 18. The neck tie of claim 13, wherein the insert-tee comprises a fabric-receiving loop and a generally perpendicular straight rod extending therefrom, the rod is positioned behind at least a portion of the folded fabric so as not to be visible from the front of the neck tie wearer, and the fabric-receiving loop is positioned within the ring to lock the ring in position relative to the folded fabric.
 19. A neck tie comprising: an elongated piece of fabric generally in the shape of a conventional neck tie, the fabric folded on itself to form a loop positionable about a wearer's neck; a hollow, generally frusto-conical ring comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid base material covered by a fabric material, through which the folded fabric passes to define a loop positionable about the wearer's neck, wherein the ring, when positioned on the folded fabric has the appearance of a typical neck tie knot, and wherein the fabric material of the base has substantially the same appearance as the elongated piece of fabric; and an insert-tee slidable over the folded fabric and positionable within the ring so as to lock the ring in position relative to the folded fabric, the insert-tee comprising a generally horizontal loop and a generally vertical straight rod, wherein the rod is positioned behind at least a portion of the folded fabric so as to not be visible from the front of the neck tie wearer, and wherein the horizontal loop is positioned within the ring to lock the ring in position relative to the folded fabric.
 20. The neck time of claim 19, wherein the ring base is comprised of a continuous loop of material, or comprises a flat, flexible material curled into a loop wherein opposing end lobes of the base are joined together by a connector. 